Hindsight is 2020 is a multi-generational family saga about the McLean family that engages the reader right from the beginning and provides thought-provoking situations and elements that will stay with readers long after they finish the book. The main character, Gerry, is an older gentleman who is plagued with anxiety and finds himself in the middle of a worldwide pandemic. The pandemic offers him the opportunity to reflect on not only his past but his family’s past while also considering his future. The story is told in an interesting format that combines flashbacks, memories, multiple points of view, and more. It also features many different settings, making it fast-paced and engrossing. Readers who enjoy introspection as well as multi-generational memoirs will love Hindsight is 2020.

The manuscript is quite clean and free of any grammatical errors. It has clearly been well proofread and edited. The writing style comes across as intelligent and reasonable. Readers should not have any trouble following the storyline and understanding what is happening in each scene. The story does change timelines and perspectives from chapter to chapter, which some readers will not prefer. The author does execute the multiple perspectives well, however.

One of Martin’s strengths as a writer is his ability to craft characters that are extremely well-developed and evoke emotions in the reader. Martin’s characters are relatable and realistic, allowing readers to commiserate and empathize with their plight. The character development is the true highlight of Hindsight is 2020.

The intended audience is most likely a mixture of people who enjoy contemporary or literary fiction. Those who enjoy memoirs or family sagas might also find Hindsight 2020 an enjoyable read. The multi-generational perspectives will appeal to a wide range of readers. At just under three hundred pages, Hindsight is 2020 is a fairly easy read and should not be overwhelming for most readers. Gerry’s experience in a pandemic will also resonate with readers who experienced the recent Covid-19 pandemic.

Overall, Hindsight is 2020 is an engaging family saga that will resonate with readers in a variety of ways. The multi-generational perspectives allow readers to find characters that they connect with on a number of different levels. The novel is incredibly well written making it enjoyable to read. The McLean family’s experiences are profound and endearing and it will provide a thought-provoking experience for readers. It is one of those books that readers won’t be able to walk away from without constantly thinking about the characters and lessons within the book.

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